What the claim says

The claim, circulated in Korean online communities, asserts that broadband subscriptions in Tokyo are cheaper than comparable plans in Seoul, implying Japanese consumers enjoy better internet value than Korean households.

What the pricing data shows

Japan's fiber market does feature aggressive promotional pricing — Nuro, the consumer fiber brand operated by SoftBank's infrastructure arm, is among the best-known discounters. But comparisons based on headline promotional rates ignore a range of real-world costs on both sides: installation fees, contract-term penalties, equipment rental charges, and the fact that steep Japanese discounts often apply only for limited initial periods before standard rates take effect.

Korea, meanwhile, maintains some of the fastest and most consistently inexpensive gigabit fiber access in the world, with major carriers offering long-term flat-rate plans. When recurring monthly prices over a full contract period are compared, rather than first-year teaser rates, the price gap cited in the claim largely disappears or reverses.

Why the comparison is misleading

Sources reviewed in the fact-check indicate that the claim relies on selective comparisons — pairing Tokyo's most discounted promotional offers against Seoul's standard rates — while omitting setup costs and post-promotion pricing. The direction of the conclusion therefore does not survive an apples-to-apples comparison.

The claim that Tokyo internet is cheaper than Seoul is Mostly False.